Cost of living in Muscat

(Updated on January 17, 2009)

I have been working in Muscat, Oman, for the last four years. Based on my experience, I have created the “Cost of Living in Muscat” document which I hope will be useful to expats coming to Muscat (Oman) from the sub-continent. This is not a fool-proof document, but it has been designed to give you a basic idea on the cost of living in Muscat.

Cost of living in Muscat

What’s cheap?

• Cars

• Locally produced food stuff

• Electronic goods

• Petrol, diesel

• LPG

• Unbranded clothes

What’s costly?

• Medicines and medical consultation

• Education

• Driving schools

• Branded goods

• Accommodation

• International telephone charges

Muscat advantages

• Pollution-free

• Smooth traffic except for peak hours

• Good infrastructure

• 24 hours water and electricity

• Safe place for expats

• Salubrious climate

Monthly expenses

Average monthly expenses in Omani Rials for a single person, couple and family with two children are shown below (numbers in brackets relate to the notes following the table).

Item

Single

Couple

Couple with 2 kids

Housing (1)

225

275

350

Food (2)

75

150

175

Utilities (3)

50

80

125

Leisure (4)

40

60

100

Transport (5)

20

30

40

Clothing (6)

15

25

40

TOTAL

425

620

830

1. Rental costs for unfurnished apartments in a decent locality. Satellite television is probably provided in some cases but is unlikely to include all Indian channels.

2. Doesn’t include luxury food items or alcohol.

3. Includes electricity, water and telephone charges.

4. Includes entertainment, dining out, sports, newspapers and magazines.

5. Includes running costs for an average family car plus third party insurance, petrol, servicing and repairs, but excludes depreciation and credit purchase costs.

6. Lots of clothing is unnecessary in the region’s hot climate. Winter months from December to February requires some warm clothing.

8 thoughts on “Cost of living in Muscat

  1. hi
    i got a job in rcs (riyam comp service)
    they are gvgn me 450 rial + accommodation + medical

    i am bachelor
    is this good amount to save money and survive ???

  2. Hi Frnd,

    I have got offer from Muscat which is well known company.The company have offered me 500 Omani riyal.What would be the cost of Living in Muscat today.

    Please help me in this regards

    thanks in advance..

    Regards
    Anil Parashar

  3. Hi Kishore

    Are you following this blog? I just wanted to check if you'd suggest any change in the detailed cost table at the begining of this post.
    Thanks.
    Puneet

  4. Hi Kishore,

    My husband gor an offer from muscut fo OMR 1800/-
    Is the offer ok for a family of three (school going child)
    And the office is in azaiba area.
    Please let us know the rents nr office and the living cost PM.

    please email at mpcv2010@yahoo.com

    Mamta

  5. Hi Kishore,
    I Hold a PhD degree and I have been offering to work at SGU as a Faculty. We have not yet discussed about the amount of salary. I don’t know anything about the living cost in Oman. How much is the salary in Oman for an assistant or associate professor.
    Thanks.
    Email: Ali130@gmail.com

  6. Hi-Kishore,
    Hope this finds you in good spirit.
    I would be thankful if you may kindly inform me about the expected range of paypackets for a Marine Surveyor in Muscat,Oman. Pls treat this as urgent at following mail papamkjee@rediffmail.com
    Thanks & Best Regards,
    Capt.Piyush

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